I’m doing some work for blackprof this month. And going straight to video, in order to begin a new type of conversation as I note below:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_vK5vfvXc[/youtube]
by admin | Oct 31, 2008 | Afrofuturism, Education, Obama, Politics, The Mass Media | 5 comments
I’m doing some work for blackprof this month. And going straight to video, in order to begin a new type of conversation as I note below:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo_vK5vfvXc[/youtube]
Congratulations on your book, Lester.
I fully endorse the idea of free tuition at public colleges and universities. It is something that is completely achievable at the state level, and thereby renders the Federal gov't's involvement — and by extension, that of the President — moot to a large degree, i.e.; less need for GSLs, Pell Grants, G.I. Bill bennies, etc., to subsidize college tuition. The funds could from those programs could then be freed up by a President Obama for use with other higher-education related expenses.
I believe if there were a such movement launched within a state, for example, like Maryland, that as it approached a critical massof additional like-minded states, the President could be leveraged to add the authority of his office. So, we're probably only differing on matters of mechanics.
However, I also believe the #1 priority for the next president is leading a structural revival of our economy. As a practical matter in national politics, an emphasis upon free college tuition is problematic given we're experiencing so much trouble achieving quality in already-free primary and secondary education.
Hey Lester.
First of all, this is a great format, and I really enjoy and appreciate the dialogue/discussion format. I think it works great.
Secondly, I think you make an excellent point about pushing for free public education at the college level, and I don't think it's an outrageous thing to consider at all. You already made the argument that we don't raise objections for spending the outrageous sums of money we don't have when it's for wars, etc. But even more importantly this is about the point you raise about the investment that is being made. Because education, if you look at it as national priority (which it should be), is essential not only to our national security but to our national productivity. A more educated populace helps ALL of us, so it makes sense that we invest in something that helps ALL of us in such an obvious and direct manner.
Also, there is the point you raised about providing free college in exchange for service. I believe this fits somewhat in the model of what Obama has been talking about in terms of encouraging youth to give back to their communities in exchange for benefits such as those which you are proposing. I haven't always agreed with you on your perspectives concerning Obama, but I'm with you on this one 100 percent.
And with you having 5 kids..? Brother, I can understand the motivation to come up with creative solutions to urgent dilemmas.
So to speak.
I look forward to your next video conversation.
Obama has suggested a number of times that he supports a plan along these lines, so hopefully he finds a way to navigate through the wreckage that is the US Budget and make it happen. It absolutely is, as you said, an investment, and it's one that pays for itself in a matter of years. We're finally beginning to see a broad acceptance of the idea that the economy is in many ways a much bigger national security issue than terrorism or Middle Eastern peace. The American manufacturing sector is dying and it's never coming back. It's becoming increasingly less realistic for those who can't pay for college to go to a trade school or work at the local plant. We need to invest heavily in education to fuel future American innovation and raise living standards.
Health care reform and alternative energy development are also investments that will pay for themselves. The irony in all of this is that government spending tends to generate a greater amount of output per dollar spent than the equivalent in tax cuts. Most importantly, the programs we're talking about here are all productive uses that will pay for themselves and cannot in any way be duplicated by private industry.
Hello there!!
The news is just in…..OBAMA takes Ohio….and THAT is the state that determines the election now! The Republicans can not win it without winning Ohio….
Ladies and gents…
BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
44th President of the United States
Yesssss… in our lifetime!
Personally, I don't care for the “talking head” video; audio might work if the production values are high. The ability to download and play on-demand is beneficial.
Content: I believe that Obama will push the education agenda with his twist: National service either in community or the military. I like the linkage, myself.
On another note: I when back in time to the end of last year's NBA season and re-read what you said about Joe Dumars changing the Pistons. Props to you for predicting Billups' departure and the elevation of Stuckey!